“DEGRADING, FILTHY”

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 2

“DEGRADING, FILTHY”

Strong Concern at Imports of Cheap Magazines From Our Own Correspondent. NELSON, Feb. 17. Strong concern at importation of a degrading type of pulp magazine which, Is was stated, was being read especially by the younger people and was spoling their tastes for good literature was expressed by the conference of the New Zealand Library Association. A suggestion to ask for a restriction on their importation was opposed, however, on the grounds that censorship might interfere with good literature. A subcommittee was set up to consider and report back to the conference. A remit submitted by Miss E. A. Chaplin was: “That the association urges the Minister of Education and Minister of Customs to take action to prevent the importation and sale of cheap American pulp magazines now disseminating filthy and degrading literature of the gangster and sexual type among young people.” The surplus of American magazines of this type was being dumped in the country, and the minds of large numbers of young people were being polluted by this stream of literature, Miss Chaplin said. As an association they had a duty in the matter. They were striving to build up a taste for good literature, but if they allowed such a stream of literature to come into the country and become popular among young people the latters’ taste for good literature would be spoiled. The Government was taking certain action, but the association should stand behind it and point out that magazines of the tj'pe mentioned should be entirely banned. “Definitely Anti-Social.” The remit was seconded by Mr J. Barr, of Auckland. He said that he had had occasion to inquire into the drop in the use of certain literature distributed to school libraries and had found that the reason was the introduction of pulp magazines to the cities. They were definitely anti-social. The speaker did not think there was any question of literary censorship coming into it. The magazines caused perversion of the aesthetic sense, and he could find no reason why they should come into the country. A statement made two years ago by the Minister of Customs that he disapproved entirely of censorship was referred to by Mr A. G. W. Dunningham, of Dunedin. It was dangerous for the Customs Department to have the say as to what was improper. They might have a great deal of humbug with the Customs if restrictions were imposed. They should stress that insufficient use of the regulations regarding the sale of these magazines was being made. The secretary, Mr J. Norrie, said: “These magazines are being bought by boys and girls of secondary schools. It is all very well to say that action should be taken by the police, but action is not always taken by the police till a complaint is made.” He had no desire to curtail anyone’s liberty, but this was a very dangerous thing indeed, and the remit should have the full support of the association. Mr S. Perry, of Wellington, said that as a general rule he was much opposed to censorship,. but in a case like this there was a responsibility on an association like theirs. MiJS. B. Ellerm, of Auckland, said had had bitter complaints from teachers of primary-school children about the magazines referred to. Who Should Have the Say? Mr G. A. Alley, Director of Rural Libraries, considered that the remit was wrongly drafted and that it should be altered. If the publications were indecent, he said, surely some action could be taken. He moved an amendment that another sub-edmmittee should be formed. Once they gave the Minister of Customs the right to say what sould or could not come into, the country they were giving him a dangerdus weapon. The amendment was seconded by Mr W. J. Harris, ».f Otago University, who thought it would be very dangerous to take action in the form suggested. The whole question as to who was to decide what was had or good literature was a tremendous one. Dr. S. C. Allen, of New Plymouth, said he saw a danger of censorship, but asked which was the greater dangerflooding the country with this pernicious literature or excluding work which to the lay man seemed filth, though to the highbrow it seemed to be the work of genius. The amendment was passed in the following form: “That a sub-committee be set up immediately to decide what action should be taken in regard to the pulp magazines referred to and refer back to the business meeting of the conference before the end of the conference.”